What role do gamma rays play in cancer treatment?

Gamma rays are used in cancer treatment to destroy cancerous cells without harming the surrounding healthy tissue.

In more detail, gamma rays play a crucial role in a type of cancer treatment known as radiotherapy. This is a process where high-energy radiation is used to kill cancer cells and shrink tumours. Gamma rays, due to their high energy and penetrating power, are particularly effective in this regard. They can penetrate deep into the body and target the cancerous cells accurately.

The treatment works by damaging the DNA of the cancer cells. When the DNA is damaged, the cells can't divide and grow, which leads to their death. This is particularly effective against cancer because cancer cells divide and grow more rapidly than normal cells. Therefore, they are more likely to be damaged by the radiation.

However, it's important to note that while gamma rays are effective at killing cancer cells, they can also harm healthy cells. This is why the treatment needs to be carefully planned and controlled. The aim is to deliver the maximum dose of radiation to the cancer cells while minimising the damage to the surrounding healthy tissue. This is achieved by using multiple beams of gamma rays from different angles, which intersect at the tumour. This ensures that the tumour receives a high dose of radiation, while the surrounding tissue receives a much lower dose.

In addition, the treatment is usually given in small doses over a period of time, rather than in a single large dose. This allows the healthy tissue time to recover between treatments, and also gives the cancer cells less chance to repair the damage caused by the radiation.

In conclusion, gamma rays play a vital role in cancer treatment by providing a non-invasive method to target and destroy cancer cells.